adidas Celebrate A Golden Generation Of Players

Herzogenaurach, Germany, December 2010 – adidas Group players Diego Forlán, Thomas Müller and Iker Casillas were presented with their adidas Golden Awards from the 2010 FIFA World CupTM during an event at adidas Group headquarters in Germany. The event marked the end of a successful FIFA World CupTM campaign for both the players and the adidas Group.

Iker Casillas, captain of the winning federation, Spain, received the adidas Golden Glove Award, saying ’’It gives me huge satisfaction to receive the adidas Golden Glove Award and it is the perfect way to round off an unbelievable 2010 season. I hope that the success will continue in 2011’’.

The adidas Golden Ball, Boot and Glove Awards, which are awarded to the best player, Diego Forlán, the highest goal scorer, Thomas Müller, and best goalkeeper, Iker Casillas, were presented to the players during a media and employee event by adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer and FIFA Executive Committee member Franz Beckenbauer.

’’The adidas Golden Awards are very prestigious awards recognizing outstanding talent on the world’s greatest football stage. I am honoured to be able to present them to the players,’’ commented former Germany international and FIFA Executive Committee Member Franz Beckenbauer.

The adidas Golden Ball Award, which is awarded to the best player of the tournament, has been won by many of the world’s best players including Pele (1970), Johan Cruijff (1974), Diego Maradona (1986) and Zinedine Zidane (2006). ’’There are many great players to have won the adidas Golden Ball Award and it is a great privilege to receive this award and be part of this select group of players,’’ commented Diego Forlán.

Thomas Müller was awarded with the adidas Golden Boot Award for his five goals and three assists and follows in the footsteps of German team mate Miroslav Klose who won the award in 2006. ’’Winning the adidas Golden Boot is a great honor for me and something I didn’t expect going into the World Cup. I hope to be able to continue scoring goals for my club and country in 2011’’.

2010 has been the most successful year in the history of the adidas Group having produced record sales in the football category as a highlight. Contributing to the success, the adidas Group delivered the highest scoring boot of the 2010 FIFA World CupTM, the F50 adiZero, the winning federation, Spain, and the best player, best goalkeeper and highest goal scorer of the tournament.

’’adidas Golden Awards presentation with Iker Casillas, Diego Forlán and Thomas Müller, underlines the adidas Group’s dominance of football and highlights once again our position as a clear winner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,’’ said adidas Group CEO Herbert Hainer.